Treason 2 (We stand by our leaders)
Public intervention
Switzerland-South Africa
2007
During the period between Saturday the 15th of December and Thursday the 20th of December 2007, Treason 2 was developed and realized across various locations in Sierre, located in the Valais canton of Switzerland.
This project existed in dialogue with events that were simultaneously unfolding at the 52nd conference of the African National Congress in Polokwane, Limpopo, South Africa.
On the morning of December 21, 1956, 156 leaders of a diversity of liberation movements across South Africa were brought to the Drill Hall for the first day of what came to be known as the 1956 Treason Trial, which would continue for a further five years. December 20, 2007 would mark the final day of the Polokwane Conference and the announcement of the new leadership of the ruling party, drawn from a list of 158 nominations.
The performance involved walking across different locations carrying a sign that states “We stand by our leaders”, similar to that of supporters of liberation leaders during the treason trial 50 years prior. Images of this were disseminated in South Africa via email during the course of Thursday the 20th of December 2007.
"I must always speak softly, always holding my breath"1
1Ndwawi Linah Ngqabaye's description of the long term effects of being beaten by police with sjamboks outside the Drill Hall on the first day of the Treason Trial, Testimony to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, 1996.
collaboration w/ Joseph Gaylard & Joubert park Project
Documentation by Cristian Valenzuela
© Donna Kukama, JPP, 2008